🤖 AI Outlaw
Good morning! Welcome to the latest edition of the Workday Dash! As we navigate the complexities of the global supply chain, it's essential to pause and acknowledge significant days that remind us of the importance of well-being, both within and outside the workplace. On July 3rd, we embrace National Stay Out of the Sun Day, a timely reminder to prioritize safety and protect ourselves from the sun's harmful rays.
So, let us unite on this National Stay Out of the Sun Day and commit to creating safer environments for our logistics workforce. By taking collective action, we can ensure that our professionals feel protected and supported as they navigate the challenges of the industry.☀️😎
———————————
Illinois has implemented a new act that restricts the use of drones by law enforcement for facial recognition, photography, and weaponry, with a few exceptions. The Drones as First Responders Act allows law enforcement agencies to utilize drones for security purposes at public events but prohibits the incorporation of facial recognition technology, photography capabilities, or weapons on drones. Facial recognition is only permitted in cases of preventing a terrorist attack or when immediate action is necessary to prevent loss of life. Equipping drones with weapons is strictly prohibited under all circumstances.
This legislation relaxes previous restrictions on drone surveillance by allowing their presence at specific public events, except for "political protest, march, demonstration, or other assembly protected by the First Amendment." Illinois senators have expressed support for expanding the use of drones for public safety, citing incidents like the Highland Park parade shooting as influencing factors.
Check out today’s featured article from IOT World Today to read more about why Illinois banned the use of drones using facial recognition. Will this ban help with security threats? How many people will actually take this new rule seriously?
Featured Article:
Illinois Bans Drones From Using Facial Recognition | IOT World News
“The new law eases controls on the use of drones for public safety, though weaponry and facial recognition software are barred.”
Economy & Wealth
The South Emerges as the New Economic Powerhouse with a US$100B Wealth Migration
The US Southeast, particularly states like Florida, Texas, Georgia, and the Carolinas, is experiencing a significant economic shift. Electric vehicle factories and battery plants are replacing pine forests, attracting businesses, creating jobs, and driving wealth migration. The Southeast has surpassed the Northeast in contributing to the national GDP, with transplants and corporations flocking to the region.
However, this economic boom is not evenly distributed, exacerbating inequalities and gentrification. The growth is impacting communities and cultural heritage, leading to rising rents and home prices, pushing out the Black community in Charleston, and altering the demographics of certain areas. While the South gains political power and congressional seats, challenges remain in ensuring inclusive and equitable growth.
Fuel & Inflation
Diesel Fuel Taxes to Increase in Multiple States from July 1st
As the average price of diesel fuel shows a downward trend, several states in the US are preparing to make changes to their diesel fuel taxes, effective from July 1st. While Utah is lowering its tax rate, other states are increasing their taxes to combat inflation and fund infrastructure projects.
California will raise its diesel fuel excise tax by 3.1 cents to 44.1 cents per gallon, Illinois will increase its tax by 3.1 cents to 52.9 cents per gallon, and Indiana will see a one-cent increase to 56 cents per gallon. Kentucky will raise its diesel taxes by 2.1 cents to 25.1 cents per gallon, and Maryland will hike its taxes to 47.75 cents per gallon. Missouri will also experience an increase in taxes, with the rate rising to 24.5 cents per gallon, as part of a series of planned annual increases. On the other hand, Utah will decrease its tax to 34.5 cents per gallon, and Virginia will raise its diesel taxes to 29.8 cents per gallon.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
Checking out the scoop outside of the United States…
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Launches Inaugural Air Taxi Service. Saudi Arabia has achieved a significant milestone in its pursuit of commercial electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) operations with the successful completion of the first test flight of a flying taxi. The test flight, conducted by German urban air mobility firm Volocopter in collaboration with NEOM, a futuristic smart city project in Tabuk, showcased the performance of the Volocopter eVTOL in the local climate and environmental conditions. The VoloCity, a two-seater eVTOL craft with autonomous capabilities, demonstrated its flying capabilities above the desert landscape.
💦 Panama Canal Maintains Restrictions Amid Drought Impact on Lake Levels. Panama Canal is expected to maintain restrictions on shippers due to a severe drought that has caused water levels in its main lake to reach a four-year low. The canal authority plans to keep draft restrictions at no lower than 44 feet for large ships throughout the year. While most vessels can still pass, container and dry bulk carriers may need to reduce their loads. To maintain the draft level, the canal authority has limited the number of daily transits to around 30-31 ships, down from 36-37. The restrictions have resulted in longer wait times for ships, with 59 currently in line for transits. The canal authority is exploring ways to secure additional water supply, including finding new sources outside its jurisdiction, as droughts become more frequent and severe.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
🎆 Fourth of July Gas Prices Plummet to Unprecedented Lows. As Americans gear up for the Fourth of July weekend, they can celebrate significantly lower gas prices compared to last year. Despite a record number of people expected to travel by car, gas prices have dipped to an almost unprecedented low. The national average for regular gasoline is currently at $3.55 per gallon, a significant drop from the $4.87 per gallon average seen last year. This substantial price decline is the second-largest one-year drop in gas prices leading up to the Fourth of July in the past 33 years. However, while this is good news for motorists, high inflation in other areas of the economy may temper gasoline demand during the holiday weekend.
🧑🏽⚖️ Supreme Court rules on race-conscious admission policies. In a significant decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the race-conscious admission policies of Harvard College and the University of North Carolina violate the Constitution, effectively ending affirmative action in higher education. The court's conservative majority, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, concluded that the programs lacked sufficiently focused objectives, involved racial stereotyping, and failed to consider applicants as individuals rather than their race. The ruling, which marks a departure from previous Supreme Court decisions, has stirred debate and raised concerns about the impact of diversity in college admissions.
💊 It’s a shaky pharmaceutical supply chain. The ongoing drug shortage crisis in the United States, particularly in the field of cancer drugs, highlights the failures of the pharmaceutical supply chain and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Quality management issues and poor supply chain coordination have led to critical shortages, forcing oncologists to ration life-saving drugs and modify treatment plans. While low-profit margins are often blamed for drug shortages, the reality is that drug manufacturers have high gross margins. The root cause of shortages is often quality issues that disrupt the drug supply, with more than 60% of shortages attributed to such issues. The FDA's role in ensuring drug safety and quality is critical but has been inadequate, as evidenced by delayed inspections and inadequate oversight of domestic and foreign manufacturers.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
🇺🇸 America’s largest asphalt maker. 94 percent of the roads in the U.S. are paved with asphalt. Companies like CRH - the largest road paver in America - are newly flush with billions from the US government which is the largest buyer of asphalt in the country. Some in the business say it’s the golden age of infrastructure. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is adding $1.2 trillion, a 40% to 50% increase over the previous FAST Act. But there are some strings attached.
💼 What can we learn from the UPS strike in 1997? The 1997 UPS strike significantly impacted businesses that heavily relied on UPS for their shipping needs. It exposed the vulnerability of relying on a single carrier, leading to financial repercussions for many companies, particularly small ones. However, the landscape has changed since then, with UPS now holding a reduced market share of 50% and the presence of other regional carriers, final mile options, and an improved USPS.
🚛 Washington Trucking Associations’ Head Addresses Driver Restroom Access. Washington Trucking Association’s President and CEO, Sheri Call, discusses the importance of laws requiring restroom access for truck drivers. The association supported a restroom access legislation that will go into effect soon in Washington, and similar efforts are being made at the federal level. Call emphasizes that restroom access is a matter of basic human dignity for drivers and aims to address issues like bio-waste being improperly disposed of. The law builds upon previous legislation focused on port restroom access and aims to expand restroom access to locations where trucks pick up and deliver. While some opposition was faced from the hospitality and retail sectors, Call highlights the importance of providing access to restrooms for truck drivers, even at locations where they are not employees.